Riley Nash

Nash was born on May 9, 1989, in Consort, Alberta,{{cite web |title=Riley Nash |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/12507/riley-nash |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=September 13, 2021}} but raised in Kamloops, British Columbia.{{cite news |last1=Drinnan |first1=Gregg |title=Nash has Carolina and Cornell on his mind |url=https://www.kamloopsnews.ca/nash-has-carolina-and-cornell-on-his-mind-1.1249024 |access-date=September 13, 2021 |publisher=Kamloops This Week |date=July 2, 2010 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819021432/http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/nash-has-carolina-and-cornell-on-his-mind-1.1249024 |url-status=dead }} Riley's brother, Brendon Nash, played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL).{{cite web |title=Brendon Nash |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/32176/brendon-nash |publisher=Elite Prospects |access-date=September 13, 2021}} Their older sister Jenna is a mortgage specialist.{{cite web |title=Jenna Nash-McCabe Is Raising Her Family In Her Own Hometown |date=September 23, 2020|url=https://jennamortgagebroker.com/kamloops/jenna-nash-mccabe-raising-family-hometown/|publisher=Dominion Lending Centres Integra Mortgage

|access-date=September 13, 2021}} His cousin through his mother's side, Kelly Olynyk, is a professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.{{cite web |title=Kamloops "cousins" sign with new teams as UFA's |url=https://cfjctoday.com/2021/08/03/kamloops-cousins-sign-with-new-teams-as-ufas/ |publisher=CFJC-TV |access-date=September 13, 2021 |date=August 3, 2021}}

They are of no relation to Rick Nash, although Riley and Rick both played for the Boston Bruins during the 2017–18 season.

In his first full Junior A season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2006–07, Nash scored 84 points in 55 games to finish as the Silverbacks' top scorer, rookie of the year and the team's most valuable player (MVP). Although he was drafted 21st overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the end of the season at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, he opted against immediately signing with the team.

Instead, Nash went on to play college ice hockey at Cornell University of the NCAA's ECAC conference, where he was a linemate of future NHLer Colin Greening. As was the case at Salmon Arm, Nash played at Cornell with his older brother Brendon, a defenceman. In his freshman year with the Big Red, Nash was selected as the Cornell University Hockey Rookie of the Year and to the 2007–08 College Hockey News All-Rookie Team.

File:Riley Nash 2013-2.jpg

On June 26, 2010, Nash was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the 46th pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Nearly one month later, on July 19, Nash signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes, forgoing his final year of eligibility at Cornell. He ended his collegiate career with 37 goals and 65 assists in 102 collegiate games.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Canes Sign Riley Nash to Entry-Level Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-sign-riley-nash-to-entry-level-contract/c-534615 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 12, 2021 |date=July 19, 2010}} Following the signing, Nash

joined the Hurricanes training camp{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Canes Announce 2010 Training Camp Roster, Groups |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-announce-2010-training-camp-roster-groups/c-537609 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 13, 2021 |date=September 15, 2010}} but was reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, to begin the 2010–11 season.{{cite web |last1=Preston |first1=Ken |title=Hurricanes Trim Training Camp Roster to 26 |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-trim-training-camp-roster-to-26/c-538674 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 13, 2021 |date=September 26, 2010}} Nash remained with the Checkers for the entire season and became one of five rookies in the franchise's history to reach the 30-point mark. He also helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, the deepest playoff run the franchise had seen up at that point.{{cite web |last1=Niedzielski |first1=Nicholas |title=RANKING THE FIVE BEST ROOKIE SEASONS IN CHECKERS HISTORY |url=https://gocheckers.com/articles/ranking-the-five-best-rookie-seasons-in-checkers-history |publisher=Charlotte Checkers |access-date=September 13, 2021 |date=June 25, 2015}}

The following year, Nash was returned to the Checkers after attending the Hurricanes training camp.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=Nash Makes Most of First NHL Games |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/nash-makes-most-of-first-nhl-games/c-608325 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=December 27, 2011}} He played 31 games within the AHL, recording two goals and seven assists, before earning his first NHL recall on December 21, 2011.{{cite web |last1=Preston |first1=Ken |title=Hurricanes to Recall Riley Nash from Charlotte |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-to-recall-riley-nash-from-charlotte/c-607615 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=December 21, 2011}} Nash made his NHL debut on that night against the Phoenix Coyotes and later recorded his first NHL assist on Andreas Nodl’s first-period goal against the Ottawa Senators.{{cite web |last1=Preston |first1=Ken |title=Hurricanes to Reassign Nash to Charlotte |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-to-reassign-nash-to-charlotte/c-607997 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=December 23, 2011}} He was re-assigned to the AHL once Tim Brent was healthy again but earned another recall on January 30, 2012.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Hurricanes Recall Riley Nash from Charlotte |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-recall-riley-nash-from-charlotte/c-614310 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=January 30, 2012}} He played three more games with the Hurricanes following his second recall before being re-assigned on February 6.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Hurricanes Reassign Riley Nash to Charlotte |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-reassign-riley-nash-to-charlotte/c-615502 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=February 6, 2012}} Nash finished his second professional season with 20 points in 58 regular season AHL games.

Nash returned to the Checkers for the 2012–13 season after attending the Hurricanes 2012 training camp.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Canes Assign 28 Players to Charlotte Checkers |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-assign-28-players-to-charlotte-checkers/c-641576 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=September 15, 2012}} By January, Nash matched a Checkers franchise record with four points in one game and surpassed his previous career high for points in a season.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Hurricanes Recall Riley Nash from Charlotte |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-recall-riley-nash-from-charlotte/c-656111 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=February 18, 2013}} As a result, Nash was recalled to the NHL in March and recorded his first career NHL goal on March 2, 2013, against the Florida Panthers to give his team a 5–0 lead in the second period.{{cite web |last1=Svoboda |first1=Jeff |title=My first NHL goal: Riley Nash |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/my-first-nhl-goal-riley-nash/c-317134006 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=June 10, 2020}} He concluded his third season with the Hurricanes organization by signing a two-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 on the NHL level.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Hurricanes Agree to Terms with Riley Nash |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-agree-to-terms-with-riley-nash/c-677359 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=July 9, 2013}}

Following the signing of his contract, Nash became a mainstay in the Hurricanes lineup. He played the entire 2013–14 season in the NHL, where he recorded nine points in 32 games. Nash suffered a lower-body injury on December 31, 2013, and missed five games to recover.{{cite web |last1=Preston |first1=Ken |title=Canes Activate Riley Nash from Injured Reserve |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-activate-riley-nash-from-injured-reserve/c-700140 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=January 11, 2014}} On March 31, 2015, Nash suffered a concussion and missed during warmups prior to a game against the Boston Bruins.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=Nash Diagnosed with Concussion |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/nash-diagnosed-with-concussion/c-760728 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=March 31, 2015}} He subsequently required 15 stitches on his ear to repair the damage and was placed out of the lineup to recover.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=Nash Working His Way Back from Odd Concussion |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/nash-working-his-way-back-from-odd-concussion/c-761732 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 6, 2015}} Despite this, Nash concluded his second full season in the NHL with career-highs in assists and points. As a result, he signed a one year $1,150,000 contract to remain with the Hurricanes in 2015–16.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Terrell |title=Hurricanes Agree to Terms with Riley Nash |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-agree-to-terms-with-riley-nash/c-773313 |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=July 1, 2015}}

After six seasons with the Hurricanes organization, Nash left as a free agent to sign a two-year contract with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2016.{{cite web |title=Bruins Sign Six Players |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-sign-six-players/c-888345 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=July 1, 2016}} Following the signing, Nash joined the Bruins for their 2016 training camp{{cite web |title=Bruins Announce Training Camp Schedule And Roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/boston-bruins-announce-schedule-and-roster-for-2016-training-camp-presented-by-att/c-282027814 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=September 21, 2016}} and played on their fourth line alongside Dominic Moore and Danton Heinen for their opening night.{{cite web |last1=Benjamin |first1=Amalie |title=Season Preview: Boston Bruins |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-2016-17-season-preview/c-282471562 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=October 9, 2016}} While serving in this role, Nash helped the Bruins qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2014.{{cite web |last1=Kalman |first1=Matt |title=Bruins clinch Stanley Cup Playoff berth |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-boston-bruins-game-recap/c-288437102 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 4, 2017}}

The following year, Nash enjoyed a breakout season by establishing new career highs with 15 goals, 26 assists, and 41 points in 76 regular season games. At the start of the 2017–18 season, Nash replaced an injured Patrice Bergeron on the Bruins top line alongside Brad Marchand and David Pastrňák.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Eric |title=Nash Slides Up to Top Line with Bergeron Out |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/nash-slides-up-to-top-line-with-bergeron-out/c-291826744 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=October 11, 2017}} He eventually returned to the Bruins third line, centering Tim Schaller and David Backes.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Eric |title=Backes Returns to the Ice |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/backes-returns-to-the-ice/c-292014524 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=October 17, 2017}} On October 21, 2017, in a 5–4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Nash recorded the 100th point of his NHL career.{{cite web |last1=Kalman |first1=Matt |title=O'Reilly, Sabres rally past Bruins in overtime |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-boston-bruins-game-recap/c-292165992 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=October 22, 2017}} By late December, Nash had scored 15 goals and tied his career high of three points in one game.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Eric |title=Nash Leads Strong Effort from Third Line |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/nash-leads-strong-effort-from-third-line/c-294410434 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=December 28, 2017}} Two months later, Nash tied a career high for goals in a season with 10 and set his career high in points with 26.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Eric |title=Cherry: Bergeron, Marchand Would Fit In Any Era |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/cherry-bergeron-marchand-would-fit-in-any-era/c-295997088 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=February 15, 2018}} Following another injury to the Bruins top line, Nash returned again to replace Bergeron in late February 2018.{{cite web |last1=Benjamin |first1=Amalie |title=Riley Nash gets opportunity to step up for Bruins |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-riley-nash-ready-to-take-next-step/c-296459894 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=February 28, 2018}}

While the Bruins qualified for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Nash missed Boston's final five games after a misfire shot by teammate Torey Krug resulted in more than 40 stitches to close a cut near his ear. As a result, he was expected to miss Game 1 of the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{cite web |last1=Kalman |first1=Matt |title=Riley Nash won't play for Bruins in Game 1 against Maple Leafs |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-riley-nash-wont-play-in-game-1-vs-toronto-maple-leafs/c-297896440 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 11, 2018}} Nash returned to the lineup for Game 3 against the Leafs and played with wingers Danton Heinen and David Backes.{{cite web |last1=Russo |first1=Eric |title=Nash Expected Back, Grzelcyk Doubtful for Game 3 |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/nash-expected-back-grzelcyk-doubtful-for-game-3/c-298033286 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 16, 2018}} The following game, Nash played with Pastrnak and Marchand to help the Bruins win Game 4.{{cite web |last1=Benjamin |first1=Amalie |title=Bruins step up without Bergeron against Maple Leafs in Game 4 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/benjamin-bruins-step-up-without-bergeron/c-298138618 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 20, 2018}}

As a free agent, Nash left the Bruins and signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 1, 2018. When speaking about the signing, club general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said "Nash is right-handed center who showed great versatility in having the best season of his career last year...he plays a very sound two-way game, will provide depth for our club down the middle and we are excited to welcome him to the Columbus Blue Jackets family."{{cite web |title=Columbus Blue Jackets sign center Riley Nash |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-sign-center-riley-nash/c-299376196 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=July 1, 2018}} In his first season with the Jackets, Nash recorded three goals and nine assists for 12 points in 78 games. Despite this, Nash was a key part of the Jackets playoff roster until he was injured by former teammate Zdeno Chara in Game 2 of the second round. While he was recovering from the injury, the Blue Jackets failed to win a game and were eliminated from the post season.{{cite web |title=Riley Nash's shoulder injury started with huge hit from Bruins Zdeno Chara |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/bruins/riley-nashs-shoulder-injury-started-huge-hit-bruins-zdeno-chara |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=May 8, 2019}}

During his second season, Nash was confined to a bottom-six center role where he recorded five goals and nine points in 70 games and finishing with a plus-minus of six. Nash also placed 12th across the league in goals allowed by his team per 60 minutes and fourth in expected goals allowed.{{cite web |last1=Svoboda |first1=Jeff |title=The best of Riley Nash ... so far |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/the-best-of-riley-nash-so-far/c-317645052 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=July 27, 2020}} During the 2020–21 season, Nash suffered a knee sprain in the second period of a 3–0 loss to the Florida Panthers and was placed on injured reserve on April 6, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Gulitti |first1=Tom |title=Nash out 4-6 weeks for Blue Jackets with knee sprain |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/riley-nash-injury-status/c-323328216 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 6, 2021}}

While on injured reserve, Nash was traded by the Blue Jackets to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on April 9, 2021.{{cite web |title=Leafs acquire Nash from Blue Jackets |url=https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-maple-leafs-acquire-riley-nash-from-columbus-blue-jackets-1.1620980 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=September 17, 2021 |date=April 9, 2021}} Remaining on the sidelines for the regular season, Nash returned to play in the postseason, making his Maple Leafs debut, going scoreless in two contests of a first-round defeat to the Montreal Canadiens.

As a free agent from the Maple Leafs, on July 31, 2021, Nash remained in Canada by agreeing to a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Winnipeg Jets.{{Cite web|title=Jets sign forward Riley Nash to one-year, $750,000 contract|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/jets-sign-forward-riley-nash-one-year-750000-contract/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Sportsnet.ca}} In the following 2021–22 season, Nash in a fourth-line role went scoreless over 15 games before he was placed on waivers by the Jets. On December 7, Nash's tenure with the Jets ended as he was claimed off waivers by the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-claim-forward-riley-nash-off-waivers-from-winnipeg-jets/c-328743880 | title = Lightning claim forward Riley Nash off waivers from Winnipeg | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = December 7, 2021 | accessdate = December 7, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Encina |first1=Eduardo A. |title=New Lightning center Riley Nash welcomes change of scenery, career reset |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2021/12/18/new-lightning-center-riley-nash-welcomes-change-of-scenery-career-reset/ |access-date=5 January 2022 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=18 December 2021 |language=en}} After 10 games with the Lightning, Nash was placed on waivers again on January 5, 2022. He was subsequently claimed by the Arizona Coyotes, marking his seventh NHL club and fifth in under a calendar year.{{cite web |title=Lightning's Riley Nash: Waived by Lightning |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/lightnings-riley-nash-waived-by-lightning/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=5 January 2022 |language=en |date=5 January 2022}}{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-claim-nash-off-waivers/c-329530018?tid=277567764 | title = Coyotes claim Riley Nash off waivers | publisher = Arizona Coyotes | date = 5 January 2022 | accessdate = 5 January 2022}}

Nash made 24 appearances with the rebuilding Coyotes, registering four assists. Prior to the NHL trade deadline, Nash was placed on waivers by the Coyotes and subsequently cleared. On March 21, 2022, he was traded back to the Lightning in exchange for future considerations as added forward depth insurance and he was immediately re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-acquire-forward-riley-nash-from-arizona-coyotes/c-332090502 | title = Lightning re-acquire Riley Nash from Coyotes | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = March 21, 2022 | accessdate = March 21, 2022}}

He enjoyed an offensive resurgence in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers in the 2022–23 season, lead the team in scoring with 24 goals, 35 assists for 59 points through 66 games.

As a free agent, Nash secured an NHL contract in agreeing to a two-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers on July 1, 2023.{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-riley-nash/c-345158026 | title = Rangers agree to terms with Riley Nash | publisher = New York Rangers | date = July 1, 2023 | accessdate = July 1, 2023}}

Nash and his wife were married in summer of 2019,{{cite news |title=Riley Nash enjoying more productive second season with Blue Jackets |url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200129/riley-nash-enjoying-more-productive-second-season-with-blue-jackets |access-date=September 12, 2021 |publisher=The Columbus Dispatch |date=January 29, 2020}} and the couple have one son.{{cite tweet|user= JacketsInsider |number=1357360005771632642|date=February 4, 2021|title=New dad Riley Nash on the birth of his son Rhett on Tuesday: "There's nothing really to describe that feeling of holding your own child for the first time. It's pretty crazy. The whole experience was really cool. Each day gets better and better." #CBJ}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Ice hockey stats}}
• {{AHL profile|3783}}

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{{succession box | before = Sean Backman
Brandon Wong | title = ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year | years = 2007–08 | after = Jody O'Neill}}

{{succession box | before = Alex Plante | title = Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick | years = 2007 | after = Jordan Eberle}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Arizona Coyotes players

Category:Boston Bruins players

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States

Category:Canadian ice hockey forwards

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Category:Cornell Big Red men's ice hockey players

Category:Edmonton Oilers draft picks

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Category:NHL first-round draft picks

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Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen